You Have Heard It Said

Description: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is constantly in the news, but what about the people who live through it? Their lives are often overlooked, their stories ignored. This is especially true of Israelis and Palestinians who follow the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and seek to meet with each other and reconcile in the context of brotherly and sisterly love. But they do exist, and they do have a story to tell. They have chosen to seek reconciliation by participating in activities organized by Musalaha, an organization which facilitates Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation, and this book, skillfully written by Jonathan McRay, is an attempt to allow their voices and their stories to be heard. This collection of stories is an excellent introduction to some of the many issues faced by these followers of Christ on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide, and chronicles the journey toward reconciliation they have chosen to take. The road to reconciliation is long and difficult, and the struggle is vividly portrayed in these narratives. Reading these stories, and the reflection pieces that follow them, leaves one with a picture of real human interaction which goes beyond the stereotypes and caricatures, and offers an authentic glimpse at the lives of Israeli and Palestinian believers, the lives they live, they challenges they face, their fears and their hopes. The stories told in this book are at times difficult to read, as they indicate how much distance still needs to be covered. But they also inspire hope; the brave example of those few who are working toward reconciliation proves that coexistence is possible, and can serve as a model for the future. Endorsements: ""Here are stories of Jewish-Christian and Palestinian-Christian reconciliation that we never hear in the West. Jonathan McRay invites us to listen in while his subjects experience all the awkwardness, drama, and joy of seeing the 'other' as they've never seen before. But it is not easy . . . For those who have lost faith and hope regarding Israeli and Palestinian reconciliation, this book suggests a new possibility, one that can be realized only when Christian faith transcends political and ethnic differences."" --Gary M. Burge Wheaton College ""If you despair that there will never be peace in the Middle East, then read the testimonies of these courageous, living martyrs. Drawn from both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian divide they . . . share a common Saviour, the Lord Jesus, who has reconciled them to himself and given them a ministry of reconciliation. Musalaha stands as a testament to the power of the gospel at work today in the Middle East where it is so badly needed. This book should carry a health warning. Reading it could transform you from a passive reader to an active participant in the peace process."" --Stephen Sizer Christ Church Vicarage About the Contributor(s): Jonathan McRay received his BA in English Literature and Language. Along with Musalaha, he has worked with the Al-Basma Center for Developmentally Disabled Youth and Young Adults, and as a journalist with the Palestine Monitor. Jonathan has also published other stories with palestinemonitor.org and globalshift.org.